Transmission fluid leak 2006 Ford Taurus SEL

BANKOFMOM

MEMBER
2006 FORD TAURUS

I recently purchased a used 2006 Ford Taurus SEL, V6, 7,100 miles. It had been in a front end accident (not totalled) and repaired but I got a really good deal on it. There is a small transmission fluid leak near the front of the radiator. I took it to a mechanic who said it looked like they kept original lines and straighted them. The leak could be the lines to radiator or the plastic connection inside radiator the lines hook up to. He suggested replacing the lines to see if that fixes the problem. If not, then its the plastic piece inside and we have to replace the whole radiator. This seems a little odd to me.
Can't we find the leak before effecting repairs which may or not be the problem? Also, is it necessary to replace the whole radiator for a broken plastic connection inside the unit? Thanks for your help !

1 Reply

TAURUSWHEEL

MECHANIC
718 POSTS

The trans cooling tank, which is located inside the rad, is only accessible by removing the rad then dissembling the side tanks, which most local repair garages are not equipped to do, requires special tools. A rad for your car, at my local Autozone, is around a buck eighty two, plus install. Some of the trans lines use quick-connect fittings, others are compression-type. Might be worth it to have a rad repair shop do it if that's the end result of testing.